Service Members, Veterans & Their Families

Financial/Expense Assistance

CHIP Programs

NL-5000.1500

Organizations that help families obtain health insurance for their children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program that is jointly financed by the federal and state governments and administered by the states. In some states, CHIP is an expansion of the Medicaid program and allows children of parents with higher incomes than were allowable in the past to participate and receive health insurance through Medicaid. In other states, CHIP is a separate program from Medicaid and covers children whose parents have incomes that are higher than the state's Medicaid eligibility levels. Within broad Federal guidelines, each state determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. The insurance pays for doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits, but additional services may be available depending on the benefits defined by the state. Depending on the family's income, insurance premiums and co-pays may apply.

Low Income/Subsidized Rental Housing

BH-7000.4600

Housing programs that make rental housing more readily available to homeless people and/or low-income individuals and families (those below 50% of the area's median income). Some complexes or housing units may be reserved for low-income older adults, people with disabilities and/or other special populations.

Temporary Financial Assistance

NT

Programs that provide assistance for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial shortfall and have insufficient resources to obtain essential services or to meet expenses in situations where financial assistance related to their specific circumstance is unavailable. Monetary assistance may be in the form of cash, loans, checks or vouchers.

Utility Service Payment Assistance

BV-8900.9300

Programs that pay all or a portion of the utility bills of people whose utilities have been or are at risk of being shut off. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance, generally in the form of a credit, for low-income households that apply. The assistance is usually available once per calendar year (or heating season). Utility bill payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.